How did an obscure Islamic visionary found an empire? The Almohad Empire at its zenith in the 12th century was the major power in the Mediterranean and North Africa; ruling a huge region from the Atlas Mountains to Andalusia. Effective administration was backed by military force; and the empire was the seat of a 12th-century renaissance in the fortunes of Islamic power in North Africa and the western Muslim world. The effect on the culture of both the Middle East and Europe was to prove lasting. Allen Fromherz; drawing on medieval Arabic and Berber sources; analyses the myth and history surrounding the rise of the Almohad Empire. He shows how Muhammad Ibn Tumart; the son of a minor Berber tribal chief; set off on his mission to reform Islam; then at a low point in its history; battered by the crusades; having lost Jerusalem and been undermined by weak spiritual and political leadership. Muhammad Ibn Tumart was proclaimed Mahdi – one who would herald the golden age of Islam – provided charismatic leadership; unwavering adherence to a fundamentalist monotheistic Islam enforced by holy war; established tribal unity; effective administration and a formidable military force. Here were the sinews of the empire's power and the base for lasting political and cultural influence in the Middle East and Europe.
#152487 in Books Pegasus Books 2017-02-07 2017-02-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.30 x 1.80 x 6.50l; .0 #File Name: 1681773198560 pagesPegasus Books
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. The Mighty 8thBy Jeffrey T. MunsonBeginning in the summer of 1942 and continuing through the end of the war; the United States 8th Air Force was charged with the task of bombing German targets in occupied Europe and; as the war drew on and American industrial might increased; into Germany itself. These men; many still in their teens; risked their lives on a daily basis; flying missions deep into enemy territory; often without fighter support.The missions to the cities these men flew became legendary: Schweinfurt; Berlin; Nuremburg; Dresden; Hamburg; and Bremen among them. Enemy fighters and flak were common on every mission; and not until the P-51 Mustang fighter entered the war were the bombers able to fly to longer-distance targets with fighter escort."Blood and Fears" describes the life of the men of the mighty 8th. Concentrating on Operation Argument; the destruction of the Luftwaffe; through D-Day and the surrender of Germany in May; 1945; Author Kevin Wilson gives a fine historical account of the air war in Europe. Using first-hand testimony from many of the men who flew the B-17s; B-24s; P-51s; and P-47s; the reader gets a true picture of what the air war was really like. Often flying missions that lasted 8 hours or more; these men faced enemy fighter attacks; flak; and mid-air collisions. Many were killed on both sides; and many more became prisoners.The sheer weight of round-the-clock bombing by the RAF and 8th Air Forces on such targets as oil; transportation; and industrial targets; along with the systematic destruction of the Luftwaffe helped greatly in the defeat of Germany."Blood and Fears" is a fine book that does an excellent job of describing the air war over Europe. Included is a fine narrative on the build-up of the 8th; from a small force to one that was deploying well over 1;200 aircraft per raid by the end of the war. The first-hand accounts lend accuracy as well as a personal feel to the narrative. Highly recommended.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. If you only read one...By Ken SkinnerAs some one with a limited knowledge of this aspect of the war ( some books on the subject read like government reports written by an accountant ) ; I thought this book was great. Not only does it do an excellent job of covering the horrifying personal experiences of carrying out the bombing missions ; it also talks about life on the ground ; from life in a village turned into an airbase ;to why Glenn Miller's band had a unique sound. I really did like everything about it.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. My new favorite 8th Air Force historyBy Kindle Customer Pat; Windermere; FLMy new favorite 8th Air Force history. Kevin Wilson has produced a well researched and thoroughly readable account of the "Mighty Eighth" from the perspective of the personal stories of many of those that were there. It is hard hitting and insightful and a must read for those of us that find this subject so compelling. I highly recommend it.
